Pelister and Vardar Build Ahead of Europe, North Macedonia to Host EHF EURO Qualifiers

Pelister Before Füchse Berlin: Kuzmanovski Stays Bitola's Pillar

When a club heads into Europe, the first thing you look at is who's staying. Filip Kuzmanovski, a North Macedonian international, will again lead RK Pelister next season, Bitola confirmed after short talks as soon as last season ended. That's news worth more than any new signing - continuity is a rarity in Balkan handball, where players tend to leave the moment they shine. Ahead of the matches with Füchse Berlin, Pelister is sending a message that it isn't going to Europe just to take part.

ŽRK Vardar Builds the Squad: Milenkovska and Trifunovska Stay

While many write about departures, in Skopje they're writing about stays. ŽRK Vardar extended the contracts of wingers Leona Milenkovska and Trifunovska, continuing to assemble the team for the new season. The management has clearly decided to build on a familiar base rather than chase expensive names - a strategy that looks modest on paper but in handball often goes further than quick transfers. The question is whether bigger reinforcements will follow these signings, or whether Vardar enters the season again with quiet ambitions.

North Macedonia Gets Fixtures for the Worlds and Hosting of EHF EURO Qualifiers

Good news comes from both sides. The International Handball Federation confirmed the fixtures for North Macedonia's matches in the group stage of the World Championship in Germany, while at the same time the Handball Federation was awarded the organisation of the qualifying tournament for the women's youth EHF EURO 2027. Hosting means matches at home, younger generations watching real handball from the stands instead of a screen. When a small country gets an event, it matters that it's used well - because the next chance always comes later than you think.

Štrlek Pulls On Zagreb's Jersey Again

Some returns are more than a transfer - they close a circle. Manuel Štrlek, one of Croatia's best left wingers and a legend of regional handball, will play for Zagreb once more. After a rich career across European courts, the experienced international returns to where it all began. We love stories like this because they remind us that handball isn't only young and fast - experience still counts, especially for a club that wants to return among the big names.

The Champions League Fills Up: 27 Clubs in the Race, Vardar Mentioned Too

The EHF published the list of confirmed participants in the Champions League, with a total of 27 clubs registered for the men's competition in the 2026/27 season. Among those waiting for a wild card, Vardar is also mentioned - which would mean the Skopje club's return among the European elite after years in which the name began to fade. For fans who remember the final in Cologne, even being mentioned in the context of the Champions League is a sign the hope isn't entirely extinguished. It remains to be seen whether words will turn into a place on the court.